Automatic feed mechanism and stop for drilling machines



Sept. 8, 1925.

J. S. BARNES AUTOMATIC FEED MECHANISM AND STOP FOR DRILLING MACHINES Filed April 1a. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 8, 1925. 1,552,978

J. s. BARNES AUTOMATIC FEED MECHANISM AND STOP FOR DRILLING MACHINES.

Filed April is. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. s, 1925. 1,552,978

J,. S. BARNES "AUTOMATIC FEED MECHANISM AND STOP FOR DRILLING MACHINES Filed April 18, 1921 r 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Sept. 8, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN S. BARNES, 01' BOOKFORD,.ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOB TO W. I. 6: JOHN BARNES COH- YANY, OF ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 01? ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC FEED MECHANISM AND STOP FOB DRILLING MACHINES.

Application filed April 18, 1921.

To all whomit may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN S. Barnes, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rockford, in the county of Winnebago and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Feed Mechanism and Stops for Drilling Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention pertains in general to the art of drilling machines, and has more particular reference to feed mechanisms therefor, and to an automatic stop; although it will be apparent as the invention becomes better understood that my invention is generally applicable to an machine tool in which a tool spindle or the like is moved by a feed mechanlsm, and "in which it is desired to automatically stop the feed at a predetermined point.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a feed mechanism and automatic stop of generally improved and novel construction, with a view to simplicit compactness, precision in operation, wi e range of adjustment, and economy in production.

In furtherance of the foregoing I have aimed to provide in connection with a drilling machine, a feed shaft directly associated with the tool spindle and carrying a member having a spiral groove, and the further provision of an adjustable abutment on said member adapted to actuate'a follower in said groove, to thereby discontinue the feed of said shaft.

Other objects and attendant advantages will be appreciated by those familiar with this art as the invention becomes better understood by reference to the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the upper portion of a drilling machine embodying my invention;

Fig. 2, a front elevation of the part shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3, an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken substantlally on the line 33 of Fig. 2; j 7

Serial No. 462,416.

Fig. 4, a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and

Figs. 5 and 6, detail sectional views taken on the lines 5-5 and 6-6, respectively, of Fig. 4.

In the drawings, I have illustrated only such parts of a drilling machine as are necessary for an understanding of the present invention. A frame designated generally by character 8, carries suitable bearings 9 and 11, in which a tool spindle12 is rotatable and slidable axially. The spindle is moved vertically through the usual sleeve 13 and slidable in the bearing 11, and has a suitable thrust bearing 14 at its upper end with the s indle. This sleeve carries a rack 15 with w ich meshes a pinion 16 fixed to a feed shaft 17 adapted to be operated by feed mechanism which will presently be described.

Any suitable means may be employed for driving the spindle, such for example as a drive shaft 18, equipped with the usual cone pulley 19 and connected to the spindle through the agency of bevel gears 21. In the present example, the drive to the feed shaft 17 is transmitted from the driving shaft 18 through the intermediary of a change speed device, although this is not essential to the invention, as it will be readily appreciated that as regards the automatic stop mechanism which will be described later, the feed shaft thereof may be driven by any suitable means. In the present instance the bevel gear 21 on the spindle is fixed to a spiral tooth-gear 22 with which meshes a complemental gear 23, fixed to a shaft 24r revolubly supported in suitable hearings on the frame. A gear 25 splined on the shaft 24 is adapted to be shifted lengthwise thereon by means of a hand shifter 26 for engaging the gear 25 in any of a plurality of concentric gear teeth on the gear .wheel 27. It will be readily seen that by'shifting the member 26, any of a plurality of speeds may be imparted to the shaft 28 to which the gear 27 is fixed.

' A housing 29 supported for oscillation on the shaft 28 provides an upper bearing for the vertical shaft 31, which is splined to a spiral-tooth gear 32 within said housing. The gear 32 meshes with a similar gear 33, fixed to the shaft 28. The shaft 31 cames at its lower end a housing 34 and a fixed worm 35 within such housing. This worm is ada ted to mesh with a worm ar 36 fixed to t e feed shaft 17. The end t rust of the worm up and down, will be taken by the housing 34 and the shaft 51, mentioned hereinafter. The worm housing 34 is shaped to provide a forwardly extending oil basin 30 adapted to carry a sufiicient quantity of oil to insure self-lubrication for the worm and gear for a long period. By means of a hand wheel 37 fixed disengage to the lower end of the shaft 31 the worm 35 may be turned by hand for feeding the spindle. To permit this hand feed, it is of course, necessary to. shift the mem ber 26 to a neutral dposition, in which the gears 25 and 27 are isconnected. The feed shaft ma also be revolved by the usual hand feecl.

U on the end of the feed shaft opposite its riven end, is fixed a circular member 39 shaped on its inner face to provide a spiral groove 41 the convolutions of which lead outwardly in a clock wise direction viewing Fig. 4. A follower 42 disposed in said groove is pivotally supported at 43 upon the outer end of a sectional lever, desi ated generally by character 44, so that the ollower is free to swing radiall as the member 39 revolves. A suitable a utment 45, adapted to be set at any position throughout the length of the spiral groove and to be. secured in such position by means of a set screw 46, will impinge the top of the follower 42 when the latter is reached b rotation of the member39 in a counterc ockwise direction, viewing Fi 4. The hand lever 44, formed in two sections 47 and 48 ivotally connected together at 49, is fixes to a shaft 51, supported on the main frame. This shaft is connected through means of an arm 52, to the housing 34 as shown plainly in Fig. 1, so that b oscillation of the lever the worm 35 will moved into and out of mesh with the worm gear 36. dThe llever sectiogs 47 and 48 halve g: pen in 52 an 53 respective y, tween v vhi fi is interposed a coil spring 54, which constantly urges the lever sections 47 in a clockwise direction into the position shown in Fig. 4, which is limited by a stop 55 strikin an abutment 56 on the lever section 48. The lever is supported in this normal position by reason of the lug 52 resting in a notch 57 formed in the frame ortion 58. It will be manifest from the oregoing that the lever 44 is normally supported by a device adapted to be trip or allowin the lever to fall, and thereby the feed. The trip is effected by the abutment 45 striking the follower 42,

thereby swinging the lever section" 47 in a tained by the hand lever 38. A slow feed,

generally of short duration as for facin is obtained b operation of the hand whee 37. Power fee at an of the speeds determined by the position 0 the shifter 26 is obtained when the lever 44 is raised to the operative position shown in full lines in the drawings. The duration of this feed depends on the position of the abutment 45 in the groove 41. In the position of the parts shown in Figs. 1 and 4, the spindle has been fed down a trifle over half of its feed movement by rotation of the feed shaft 17 in a counter clock wise direction. Upon continuing such movement of the feed shaft another half revolution the abutment 45 will strike the top of the follower 42, thereby tripping the lever 44 as above mentioned and disconnecting the power feed. The follower swings on its p1vot 43 so that the end 42 located in the spiral groove moves radially as the member 39 revolves, the term radially being used herein and in the claims as meaning outwardly and inwardly with respect to the center of said member, such movement being incidental to following the convolutions of the spiral groove or uide. By either advancing or retracting t e position of the abutment 45 the feed will obviously be of a shorter or longer duration and, inasmuch as the length of the spiral oove is proportional to the total length o the feed, it will be manifest that by setting the abutment 45 at any point in said groove between the outer end thereof and the follower, the feed may be stopped at any predetermined point. Said groove in the present instance has three complete convolutions comprising approximatel 1080 degrees. in which the abutment may set for stopping the feed. Since this comparatively large number of de comprises the total feed of the spindle or tool carrier the feed may be stopped at an point within its high and low limits, wit but a single setting of the stop or trip a'butment 45. This is distinguished from' prior constructions wherein but a single annular groove is employed allowing setting of a stop or trip member only within approximately 360 degrees. Consequently the present invention enables a greater range of ped feed control and greater accuracy in stop ping the feed.

It is believed that the foregoing conveys a clear understanding of the principles and objects n: this invention, and while-I have illustrated and described but a single working embodiment thereof, it should be understood that various changes might be made in the construction and arrangement without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expresse in the appended claims, in which- I claim:

1. In a drillin machine, the combination of a drill spind e, a feed shaft therefor, a worm gear and a worm for revolving the feed shaft, a member on said shaft having a spiral groove lon er than a single convolution and correspon in in len h to approximately the total spin le fee an abutment adjustable to any point in said groove, a follower in said groove adapted to be operated by said abutment, and means actuated by said follower for disconnecting the worm and gear.

2. The combination of a tool spindle, a feed shaft for said spindle, driving mechanism for revolving said shaft, a member driven by said shaft and havin a spiral groove longer than a single convo ution and corresponding in length to approximately the total spindle feed, an abutment adapted to be secured at any position throughout the length of said groove, a follower in said groove adapted to be actuated by said abutment, and means actuated b said follower for disconnecting said driving mechanism from the feed shaft.

3. An automatic feed and stop mechanism for drilling machines comprising in combination, a drill spindle, a feed shaft therefor, means for driving the feed shaft, a member on said feed shaft having a spiral oove of a length corresponding to the tota spindle feed, a follower dis sad in said groove and movable radially 0 said member as the latter is revolved, an abutment adapted to be set at any point in said groove for actuating said follower, and means operated by said follower for causing the driving means to be disconnected from the feed shaft.

4. The combination of a tool spindle, a feed shaft therefor, a worm car on said shaft, a worm movable into an out of mesh with said gear, a member on said shaft hav ing a spiral groove of a length corresponding to the total spindle feed, means for disconnecting said worm from the gear including a follower disposed in said spiral groove and movable radially by rotation of the grooved member, and an abutmentadjustable to any of various ositions in the move for actuating said ollower and t ereby causing the worm to be disconnected at a predetermined point in the feed.

5. In a drill press, the combination of a drill spindle having a sleeve and rack, a feed shaft equipped with a inion meshin with said rack, a worm gear xed to the fee shaft, a driving worm adapted to be moved into and out of mesh with the worm gear means on said feed shaft havin' a spira guide of greater length than a single convolution and be'in determinative of the le h of the spin le feed, a follower associated with said uide, adjustable means in connection with t e spiral uide for actu-' ating the follower, and a trip evice adapted to be actuated by said follower for causing the worm to be disengaged from the worm ear. g 6. In a drillin machine, the combination of a drill spin lo, a feed shaft therefor, means for driving said shaft, a member on the feed shafthaving a spiral groove of a len h corresponding to the total spindle fee a lever supported in a normal osition by a tri device and equipped wit I lower disposed in said groove, means adjustable to a set position on said member at any point within the length of said'groove for actuating the follower to trip the lever, and means operated by the lever when so tripped for disconnecting the driving means from the feed shaft.

7. In a drillin machine, the combination of a drill spind e, a feed shaft therefor, a worm gear on the feed shaft, a drivin shaft equipped with a worm meshing wit said worm gear and also equi ped with a hand wheel, whereby the spm le may be fed by hand, a member on the feed shaft having a spiral groove of a length corresponding to' thetotal spindle feed, a follower dis in said groove and adapted to be actuated by an abutment carried by said member, and means put into operation by actuation of said follower'for disconnecting the worm from the worm ear.

8. In a mac ine tool, a feed and vstop mechanism comprising, in combination, a tool carrier, a rack 'movin with the tool carrier, a pinion meshing with the rack for imparting feed movement to the tool carrier,

mechanism for revolving the pinion adapted to be disconnected, means rotatin with the pinion having a spiral guide of a ength corresponding to the total spindle feed, and means adapted to beset at any redetermined ition throughout the lenfit of said guide or disconnecting said mec anism.

.9. In a machine tool, a feed and stop mechanism com rising, in combination, a tool carrier, mec anism for imparting feed movement to said'carrier adapted to be disconnected for stopping the feed, and means for disconnecting a spiral guide 0 a length' corresponding to the total spindle feed, said guide being connected to revolve with the feed-transmitting mechanism, and means ada ted to be set within the length of said guide for disconnecting said mechanism at a predetermined point in the travel of the tool carrier.

10. In a machine tool, a feed and stop posed a folsaid mechanism including mechanism com rising, in combination, a tool carrier, mec anism for im arting feed movement thereto, and means or stopping said feed at a predetermined oint in the travel of the tool carrier inclu ing a spiral guide of a length corresponding to the total spindle feed connected to revolve simultaneously with travel of the tool carrier, and means adapted to be set within the length of said spiral guide for stopping the feed.

11. In a drilling machine, in combination, a tool spindle, means for im arting feed movement to said spindle inclu ing a rotary part adapted to make plural complete revolutions to transmit the total spindle feed, and mechanism for rotating said feed-trans mitting part and for automatically stopping the feed includin a spiral guide rotating with said part an being of a length correspindle and means adapted to be set at any positionin the len th of said spiral guide -for stopping the eed at a corresponding point in the travel of the spindle.

12. In a drilling machine, in combination, a tool spindle, a rack for imparting feed movement to the spindle, a pinion meshing with the rack, feed mechanism for rotating the pinion, and automatic feed stop mechanism including va part rotating with .the pinion and having a s iral groove corresponding in length to t e total feed length of the spindle, and means adapted to be set at-any point in the length of the spiral groove for automatically stopping said feed movement at a corresponding point in the travel of the spindle.

. JOHN S. BARNES. 

